New York, NY — Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, has announced that acclaimed jewelry designer Stephen Webster will host the 15th Annual GEM Awards on Friday, January 13, 2017, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. Jewelers of Americaís GEM Awards is the fine jewelry industryís premier accolade gala, which recognizes the achievements of individuals and companies whose work raises the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches.

"We are thrilled that Stephen Webster has agreed to host the 15th Annual GEM Awards," says GEM Award Chair Norman Miller. ìAfter Stephen presented the GEM Award for Jewelry Design last year, there was immediate consensus with the GEM Awards Committee that Stephen would be a terrific host for our milestone event. Trust me, you want to attend this event!î

English eccentricity and American iconography, wildlife, the high life, literature, theatre and pop culture, the ocean and the animal kingdom; these are just some of the inspirations and influences that fuel Stephen Websterís creative engine. Combining a love of fine craftsmanship with a passion for music, fashion and art, Websterís keen eye for detail, flair and wild imagination have assured him unique status in the contemporary jewelry world. With a workshop and design studio in Mayfair, flagship store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and salon on Londonís super chic Mount Street, Stephen Webster is widely considered to be one of the international sceneís most accomplished and exciting designers. In recent years his company has expanded globally with close to 200 points of sale worldwide including the United Kingdom, United States, Russia, Dubai, Japan and Hong Kong.

"Despite carrying the burden of a funny accent and a warped sense of unfiltered humor, the powers that be have asked me to host this yearís GEM awards. I'm honored and looking forward to it. My wife is equally dreading it but wouldn't miss it,î says Stephen Webster. ìAccepting that the engagement comes with responsibilities, the values of the awards committee and the nominees will be respected at all times. My name is Stephen Webster, and I endorse this message."

Portions of the GEM Awards program will be available via Facebook Live on the GEM Awards Facebook Page. The 2017 GEM Awards will also honor Jim Rosenheim, Chairman of Tiny Jewel Box, with the prestigious GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement award and present GEM Awards in other categories including Jewelry Design, Marketing and Communications, Media Excellence and Watch Excellence.

For more information about GEM Awards, to order tickets, reserve a sponsorship, or to secure an advertisement in the GEM Awards Journal, please visit www.jewelers.org/gemawards.